As Exhibition Secretary for the Quilters’ Guild of New South Wales, I am very busy at this time of year in the lead up to our annual members’ exhibition in June. My role cuts into my personal creative time but I passionately believe that such exhibitions are a vital part of the quilting universe providing an opportunity for guild members, whatever their level, to share their quilts. Not everyone is a star quiltmaker but this is part of the charm as it presents patchwork and quilting as an accessible creative activity.
By contrast, juried and select exhibitions can be intimidating. Just this week I received an e-mail from a would-be/could-be quilter friend who remarked on the recent Australasian Quilting Convention in Melbourne: I actually went to the quilting convention while it was on and strangely enough I found it all a bit overwhelming rather than inspiring. The quality was so incredible and I know I could not possibly have the patience to create anything remotely like that.
Anyway, come 26 June to 1 July at the Sydney Quilt Show, you will find me wearing these with pride:
Note to self, really MUST start quilting the quilt that I entered!
Squeaksqueal says
I felt a bit the same way at the Guild’s annual away trip to Tumbarumba, the quality and quantity of the quilts on show to me was rather overwhelming, but inspiring at the same time.
Marion Caspers says
I coudn’t agree more. I founded a group 1 year ago, get everybody to quilt and plan an exhibition in fall. As an encouragement I will take quilts from everybody. I will not be judmental.